Alternative Title: 仏国 = Japan Explicit Title: France and Japan are More Similar to Each Other Than to the United States

Now I have stayed with two host families in two foreign countries: France and Japan. I began to learn Japanese two years before my start in French in high school, and I would have liked to continue with it, but that wasn't possible. Nonetheless, I had an incredible time in Japan for three weeks in the summer of 2004, out of which a week and a half (if I remember correctly) was in Kanayama, the sister city of Ketchikan which is now part of the consolidated city of Gero (Gifu prefecture).

Now that I've spent a month here in Strasbourg, I think it's possible to list some similarities between Japan and France, using my modest experiences. For my "thesis," I present that France and Japan are more similar to each other than they are to the U.S. This may be an unexpected statement, but here's my proof:

There are separate rooms for baths and toilets. Even though I can't decide if this is better than American style, it's very important anyway.

These countries have succeeded in having the fastest trains in the world. For a long time, Japan was the winner with its bullet trains. However, it's France that currently has the highest speed with its TGV.

The city is more rural and the countryside is more urban. I know it's a paradox - that was my intention. It's difficult for me to describe this feeling, but I believe that in France and Japan, you see links between rural and urban that don't exist in the U.S. For example, on one hand the French and Japanese cityfolk seem to value natural fruits, vegetables and cereals more than their American counterparts. In other ways also I think that the inhabitants of Nagoya or Toulouse are more connected with the land than residents of Philadelphia or Phoenix. On the other side, I think the countryside of France and Japan is more bound with centers (remember the trains). The cultures of country and city are highly mixed as well.

Both use prefectures. This one is evident - Japan took the concept from the French when it was westernizing the country.

They both have nuclear energy, and important conflicts over it. In reality, though, it's very likely the two are going to maintain this energy source indefinitely, even if their usage of it won't increase.

Their McDonald's restaurants aren't very American. It's honestly true - the menus, the advertising style, the atmosphere and attitude of the restaurants, even the architecture are all different.

They're more creative as chocolatiers. Think about Japanese and French chocolate candies, then American chocolate. The difference is extreme.

Now I've covered all subjects from toilets to chocolate. I need say nothing more.